I am joining in on the Wednesday Word fun this week. I have always considered myself a really organized person. I schedule dental appointments and hair appointments and basically everything way in advance to make sure they fit well into my schedule. My grocery list is organized and even my closet is pretty well organized. Where I tend to really struggle is with race schedule organization.
In the past, I have not been so strategic in my race planning. Yup I pretty much just haphazardly sign up for everything. I have not really taken the time to organize my overall “racing season” to see if it makes sense. Reflecting upon the last few years, I realize that it probably is counterproductive to train for a 10 miler or a half in the early spring and then hope to have a great sprint triathlon race a few weeks later. Obvious right?
How do I organize my race schedule?
If I really want to get better at sprint triathlons, I need to do more focused training on those distances. I am going to hold off doing any 10 miler or half races until after tri season. Yes I actually plan to organize my race season this year and see if that makes a difference.
So on that note, I am looking for a new Sprint Triathlon plan that will push me to work harder in all 3 disciplines. All of the plans that I have found are not the right intensity for me and seem to be geared more towards a newbie. If you know of anyone who designs tri plans, I am definitely interested.
Do you organize your race schedule or just sign up for all the things?
Also linking up with:
I love your approach! I’d love to try a tri one day if Vegas ever teaches me to swim. I’m terrible in the water!
My friend Heather (fitaspire.com) is a Tri coach. She’s really good – she’s even done an Ironman! She also used to be totally vegan, which I thought you’d appreciate.
OH yes I know her I will check it out thanks
I normally do not organize my race calendar. If I see a race I want to do i’ll sign up. Not a huge planner. I do not like signing up way in advance, because I have a hard time committing. And what if something happens then I am out that money. But again that is always taking a chance, because sometimes it sells out or the price does go up.
Yes! The struggle is real 🙂
It’s so difficult to organize a race schedule because there always seems to be two races that I want to do that fall on the same day! I have not started to plan for 2017 yet, but I’m hoping to get started on that this weekend.
I know it’s really a challenge!
I’ve been known to wing it when it comes to racing–some races I have to sign up for in advance, but others, I can just jump in at the last minute!
I do both as well. I am trying to be more organized this year
I’ve done both through the years! Right now I’m taking a break from racing but I’m pretty sure when I start back I’ll sign up for all the things!
It’s really hard not to!
Ah, I wish I were a TRI coach to help you! My friends keep encouraging me to go that route but I’m not familiar enough with the triathlon to be confident in my coaching abilities. I hope you find someone awesome to work with soon.
Thanks so much! I would just like another set of eyes to give me some tips
Oh, I definitely put a lot of thought into my race schedule. The big thing is to think about the halfs first — that’s my focus. Other races are either ones I enjoy, or ones to test the waters.
I don’t typically race a whole lot — except now. In November I suddenly do all the races. Usually by then I’m done with my goal races (this year was the exception, but it still worked out well).
I have been doing a crazy number of races lately I just can’t say no!
haha you are the race queen, Deborah! I usually only do a few a year, just enough to keep me running a little, haha. I love hearing about your races!
This year I really have done so many I probable should reign it in after this Saturday when I have another one 🙂
Oh man, 2017 is pretty much here. How crazy. Buh bye 2016. Where the heck did you even go?! I honestly am pretty pumped about the new year – however, I have so much more to look forward to this month, that I cannot even think about January and on!
I know this year flew by! You had a lot going on this year too my friend
Every year is a little different. I’ve definitely had years where I signed up for every race and ran a lot for fun. Next year I’m focusing on a goal race and not signing up for others.
Wow that takes will power!
I probably should organize it more, but I tend to sign up for all the things in a haphazard manner. Really I just pick the events that fit into my schedule and go from there. This spring I have one half per month and shortly after that my first sprint tri- so I’ll see how that works out for me.
I tend to just sign up for all the things too but trying to be more strategic this year
It depends on the season but I like to plan out my rides throughout the year. It gives me something to look forward to during the cold winter months!
Well yes that helps for sure
I used to sign up for all the races but now I am a bit more organized about it! Helps to really focus in on my goals.
The struggle is real!
Love your apporach and your goals and determination. I want to add a tri someday, if I ever becoming comfortable with swimming.
I know you can do it!
It’s true that if you want to improve at a skill or sport you kind of need to plan your training specifically for that. Good luck with figuring out your tri schedule.
Yes makes sense when you put it that way! LOL 🙂
I definitely don’t organize my race schedule (well, beyond marathons). I just kind of wing it!
That is what I have done in the past but I am going to try
I sign up however I feel at the moment haha
Me too! Do all the races 🙂
I need to start mapping out my race calendar. Right now all I have planned is Disney Princess Weekend in February.
That sounds like a ton of fun
I tend to sign up for whatever looks like fun (in other words…almost EVERYTHING) 😉 I enjoy doing races, but I do not treat every one as a “race.” A lot of my races are used as training runs…and that’s a perfect fit for me because I’m not a “competitive” runner. I wish I had your eagerness for a tri…I’m a wimp in the water LOL
I use a lot of them as training runs as well just to get out there and have fun. You could so do tri races
Sometimes I just sign up for all the races but then end up feeling overwhelmed because I do not have enough rest time. I have been working harder at keeping my focus on my goal races! Love that you are going to be focusing on spring tris!
Yes I am certainly trying to be more focused with my training this year
I tend to organize a race schedule. Mainly because it works better with the family and life.
Yes I am sure that would be helpful for me to do as well
I don’t race too often, but knowing me, I would probably organize first or else I would totally forget to plan ahead haha. goodluck with all ur upcoming races!!!!
Yes I think it would really help to plan ahead
I’ve been on both ends in terms of signing up for races, but yes, if you have a real goal some races have to go! I remember how hard it was to miss all my favorite 5ks the season I did Ironman…but it was worth it!
Yes the struggle is real!
I have to organize my race schedule as my husband works shift work and we need to make sure we have someone to take care of your kids if he is working. I do a number of local races and then races near where my parents live to make it easy
Yes I guess you would need to organize that for sure!
Im organized in all the right places. lol Or thats what I like to believe anyway! I love lists, Im lost without them!
Oh yes lots of lists!
I am trying to get more strategic with planning out my race sched next year too. But I know there will def be a half just kinda thrown in there!
It’s hard not to sometimes!
You know me, I’ve been doing the same main races every year. I need to mix things up with the bike though!
Yes I’d love to find another bike event to do together. I am also doing an indoor tri in January you should come
i have randomly signed up races in the past, which i think is not a good idea but i never learn.
Well me either!!
I sign up randomly, ha ha.
I am trying to be more strategic this year
Yes that has been my past strategy trying to mix it up this year
This is so awesome, how involved you are. I am going to TRY to get tix to the Disneyland Half Marathon, next time they come up! – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
That is supposed to be lots of fun I’ve never done a Disney race
I very much haphazardly sign up for everything too. I find I do better if I don’t over analyze or think about it too much. I tend to psyche myself out too often… gotta work on that.
I also get myself too worked up over races it’s just so silly!
Sorry I can’t help you. But it does seem to make sense to try to schedule your races in a way that brings the best results for those races. Like using early races as warm-ups/trainings for later races. Good luck.
Yes exactly! Now I just have to execute it
Since I’m trying to be more selective with the races that I choose to register for, I first choose the one or two major races that I want to be my goal races for the year. Then based on my training calendar for those races, I fill in as I’m able to with what fits within my training plan.
That sounds like a great way to go-I need to be more selective
I plan my goal races and then build around those. Sometimes with planning but other times just because 🙂
I do a lot of just because!
Alot of the big iconic races in France sell out very quickly, so often I sign up and HOPE it will fit into my Schedule, or HOPE I will be around that weekend. It does result in some DNS but that is sometimes the only way I could possibly get into a race I want.
I am an obsessive overplanner, but like you, not when it comes to races.
Thanks again for the card 🙂
You are so welcome! I was glad to have you as my secret buddy hope you are having a nice visit.
I should organize, but I mostly just sign up for things…
Well you are not the only one 🙂
this is how i organize my race schedule: run the Race for the Cure in the middle of May every year! xD then add it whatever/whenever. I’m hoping to run a 10k either next spring (April?) or fall once it has cooled down, depending on my spring training!
That sounds like a good plan!
I have very few races on the 2017 schedule. I keep a running (pun intended) list of half marathon possibilities on my phone, but I hesitate to hit that registration button for some reason. I really enjoyed my Sprint Tris last summer but now that I’m removed from it, I’ve become fearful again. They sure were a nice way to beat our summer heat and back off that pavement pounding! I hope I get up enough courage to do a few. I’ll be following along on your Tri adventures!
Oh I would not think anything would scare you! I also like to do them when it’s hot out because it’s so much more pleasant to bike and swim than do long runs. I hope you will join me
Your plan for 2017 sounds like a good idea. I mean, they say if you fail to plan you plan to fail so the best way to achieve your goals is to strategically train and rac,e right?
Well yes that’s a great motto!
I’ve found that organizing the racing season makes a lot of sense, though sometimes it stinks that you can’t always do the races that you like that can pop up on various weekends. I hope you find someone to help you prepare for tri season, I’m excited to see how it goes!
Thanks so much and yes makes a lot of sense doesn’t it
Finding the right coach and plan is critical! I can’t imagine my year without Coach M!
She really helped you so much this year!
Depends on the year. This upcomign year I know I will prob only do one half and a bunch of 5ks. I don’t organize 5k-10k schedules, I just end up signing up for races when convenient. Hopefully this year I’ll be able to get a 5K PR!
I hope you do too!
I usually organize my race schedule pretty early in the year even though I may add a race or two later on as FOMO and peer pressure gets me to sign up for additional races. 🙂
Thank you for linking up! It’s much appreciated even if I’m a week late in commenting!
FOMO is my worst nemesis gets me everytime